What is forest bathing and why does the City of Edmonton want you to try it?

The city is inviting residents to try ‘forest bathing,’ the act of connecting with our urban forest.

Edmontonians are being invited to immerse themselves in a soothing forest bath.

Forest bathing is a term used to describe the act of spending time connecting with nature, something research has linked to improvements in cognition, mood, mental health and emotional well-being.

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The term comes from the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku. According to National Geographic, the term emerged in the 1980s as an exercise to help combat technology-related burnout and encourage reconnection with Japan’s forests.

On Thursday, the City of Edmonton announced its own forest bathing program for residents to explore and build a deeper connection to the urban forest, with the goal of reducing stress and improving overall wellness.

The free program includes guided sessions from trained Shinrin-yoku guides from Edmonton’s urban forestry team, offering sensory exploration, silent meditation, exploratory walking, and group and individual reflections.

The sessions will be available on Tuesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m. at parks across the city. The program will run weekly until Sept. 16.

To find out more or to register for a session, visit the City of Edmonton’s website.